This has been frequently requested of me ever since my earlier post about ‘The Six Month Conversation’ resonated with so many people. This follow up is about the framework Alexis and I devised with hopes of guiding our life journey together independently and as a couple. I know this post is arriving several years late, after tons of requests, so thanks everybody for your patience!
This has been frequently requested of me ever since my earlier post about ‘The Six Month Conversation’ resonated with so many people. This follow up is about the framework Alexis and I devised with hopes of guiding our life journey together independently and as a couple. I know this post is arriving several years late, after tons of requests, so thanks everybody for your patience!
The best investment you can make is in yourself.
Many folks know me as a person who’s driven by a broad curiosity and who’s keen to explore possibilities. As a result, people often ask me for recommendations on credible resources to learn from based on their knowledge level.
Below I’ve shared my response to recent inquiries as well as some areas I’ve been personally interested in.
People have asked about:
Macroeconomics: Economics Explained - Youtube
Personal Finance (foundations): Ramit Sethi - Book
Minimalism (lifestyle): Matt D’Avella - Youtube
Startups (resources): Startup School, by Y Combinator
Sales (foundations): Brian Tracy - Book
Negotiation: Chris Voss - Book
China-US Politics: Michael Pillsbury - Book
Small Business Self-Help: Michael Gerber - Book
Sci-Fi Series: Pierce Brown - Red Rising Saga
Recent/current personal interests:
Community (Vancouver): Vital Signs - Research Findings
Family Business: Family Enterprise Xchange / UBC Sauder
Coffee: James Hoffmann - Youtube
Kitchen: Equipment Reviews, by America’s Test Kitchen - YouTube
Dog Training: Zak George - YouTube
Consumer Safety (Canada): Marketplace, by CBC - YouTube
Indian Food (various)
If you’re interested in similar stuff I’ve shared before: Jan 2016, Jun 2018 (re: careers), Dec 2018
Digitizing a thought I had written in a journal back in 2010 around the idea of a Centre of Influence (COI). I had defined COIs as those people we have relationships with who possess a level of influence over our decision-making. The influence is exerted by virtue of their primary relationship dynamic with their network. These are people trusted & networked as an influencer, and their advice is often taken with little further thought.
It's apparent that my then knowledge of personal/professional relationship dynamics was much more limited than it is today, but interesting nonetheless...
This is a re-post for an answer by Franklin Veaux to a question on the site, Quora. I'm sharing this because it provides a perspective that people often do not consider. Food for thought.
Self-esteem is not something that should be outsourced to others.
People have enough trouble dealing with their own self-esteem issues, their own drama, their own everything... heaping yours on top is too much to deal with.
Blaming is a manifestation of this: you are outsourcing to a boss, the economy, a relationship, past work.
Understand that everything can be thought of independently. This wisdom helps one get crystal clear about the self.
I first learned of these while attending Vipassana (10-day silent meditation course). Towards the end of the sit, students are taught about the Ten Pāramī (Wikipedia), the universal characteristics to nurture in order for one to attain 'perfection' or 'completeness.'
These are the same characteristics which have been touted throughout the ages in popular literature as what we should aspire to. The specific meaning has evolved a little as the times have changed, but our human condition has remained relatively constant so they are still highly relevant.
